Penny held up a shirt and regarded it carefully. It wasn't an exact match but it was very close. She looked around and located Stuart pricing some action figures. She hung the shirt back up and moved across the room.
"Stuart?"
He turned and looked at Penny in surprise. "Penny? Oh, hello. What are you doing here?"
Penny smiled slightly. "I'm looking for a Flash tee shirt. Just like the orange one Sheldon has."
Stuart looked at her with concern. "Did you ruin Sheldon's shirt?"
Penny shook her head. "Actually I was looking for one in my size. I …um really like his and wanted one of my own," she said with a blush.
Stuart stared at her for several seconds before slowly walking over to another rack of shirts. He searched for a moment before handing her a shirt. Penny stared at it for a moment. Hmmm, a size too small, but that might work in her favor.
"Perfect," she said with a grin. Stuart rang up her purchase in a daze. Penny walked out the door and down the sidewalk.
"Whoa," Stuart said.
XTBBTX
Penny looked in the mirror and tried to see herself from the guy's perspective. According to Sheldon seeing the two of them in matching shirts would reinforce the idea of her and Sheldon as a couple. An orange Flash shirt, tiny orange shorts, and black and orange striped socks. She pulled her bangs back in a red penny-blossom and applied lip gloss. Penny smirked and headed for the door. Time to get this show on the road. She reviewed their plan as she crossed the hall.
Step One : Knock, don't walk in.
Penny knocked on the door and waited patiently as Leonard opened the door. He stared at her in confusion until he noticed her outfit. Then he made a soft whining sound. He moved back from the door and Penny stepped inside. Sheldon was in the kitchen making tea. She stopped beside Leonard's desk and ignored the guys on the couch.
Step Two : Be coy.
"Hello, Sheldon," she said shyly.
Sheldon looked down at the floor and shuffled his feet. "Good afternoon, Penny."
Penny slid her hands into her back pockets, making her chest stick out more. "Listen, I was making some spaghetti for dinner and wondered if you would like to join me, maybe."
"With little hot dogs in the sauce," Sheldon asked with a bit of excitement.
Penny smiled at him brightly. "Of course, Sugar." Three jaws dropped as they looked back and forth between Penny and Sheldon.
Step Three: Act submissive.
Sheldon moved a few steps closer to Penny. Penny glided forward also. They were separated by only a few inches. "I would be happy to join you if it is not a bother.
Penny reached out and touched his forearm lightly. "That would be nice. I'm glad you want some."
Howard make a choking noise at the innuendo. Penny blushed and looked down at the floor. "Well, I guess I'll go start dinner," she murmured. "Will you give me 30 minutes to cook?"
Sheldon smiled tenderly. "That is acceptable," he said softly. Penny beamed up at him and walked to the door. She paused for a moment and looked back at Sheldon. Then she walked out and shut the door behind her. Sheldon stared at the door for precisely 7 seconds before give a small start and heading back into the kitchen for his tea.
He counted to 4 in his head before Leonard spoke. "Sheldon? Wanna catch us up?"
Sheldon looked over at his friends in confusion. "About what?"
Howard smirked. "About you and Penny!" he said suggestively. "Are you two doing the horizontal hop?"
Sheldon frowned at Howard. "What?"
Raj sat on the arm of the couch. "Come on dude! Spill the beans! What's going on between you and Penny?"
Sheldon shrugged. "We are having dinner together. Are all of you experiencing difficulties with your hearing?
"Why?" Leonard asked sternly. "Why are you having dinner with Penny? Besides, it's pizza night!"
Sheldon looked at him blankly. "Why? Because you are a bit young for hearing loss, Leonard. You should get a cat scan to make sure you do not have a tumor. As for why I am having dinner with Penny, she asked. I like spaghetti with little cut up hotdogs in the sauce."
"You and Penny are having dinner together?" he pressed.
Sheldon sipped his tea. "Leonard, you are forcing me to repeat myself. Penny and I often have dinner together."
"Yes," Leonard said with a raised voice, "with all of us!"
Sheldon frowned. "Actually Penny and I have often shared a meal without the rest of you. Nearly every Anything Can Happen Thursday, in fact."
Leonard gawked at him, giving Sheldon time to set down his cup and walk toward his bedroom. "Now, if you will excuse me, I must prepare for my dinner with Penny."
When he came out 20 minutes later, the guys were sitting on the couch staring at him.
"Sheldon, you are still wearing the same thing," Leonard said testily.
Sheldon smoothed his shirt. "Yes, I am. I decided to not change. I like the Flash." He walked to the door and opened it. "Gentlemen, have a good evening."
